Meet Dr. Emily
licensed psychologist based in the Bay Area in California
Hi, I’m Dr. Emily El-Oqlah (she/her)
Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, I specialize in relational therapy and work with both individuals and couples. My collaborative approach honors your expertise in your own life while helping you explore and navigate relationship dynamics with partners, family, friends, and colleagues.
Through strengthening your relationship with yourself and others — and developing greater self‑insight — we can discover new and effective ways to navigate life’s challenges. It is truly an honor to walk alongside my clients on their journey toward growth, understanding, and healing!
Education and Experience
My training as a psychologist has given me a diverse and well-rounded foundation in both collaborative and evidence-based approaches to therapy.
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Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of California Berkeley
Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, University of Memphis
M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, University of Houston-Clear Lake
B.A. in Psychology, University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Dr. El-Oqlah is licensed by the Board of Psychology in the state of California and her license number is PSY34061.
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My training as a psychologist has given me a diverse and well-rounded foundation in both collaborative and evidence-based approaches to therapy.
I began my career while completing my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, training at the Houston Galveston Institute, the founding center for Collaborative Language Systems Therapy. There, I learned to approach therapy as a partnership: I bring expertise in the therapeutic process, while my clients bring expertise in their own lives. Together, we form a team of experts, working collaboratively to discover solutions and possibilities that align with your goals.
As a doctoral candidate, I trained at the Memphis VA Hospital, where I gained extensive experience with evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT). This training deepened my commitment to using interventions that are both research-supported and tailored to the individual needs of my clients.
Following my doctorate, I completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley, where I worked within a culturally focused and one session at a time therapy model. From this experience, I came to appreciate the power of focusing on meaningful change one session at a time — a perspective that reminds me that even small shifts can have lasting impact.
Together, these experiences have shaped my therapeutic style: collaborative, culturally responsive, and grounded in approaches that truly support growth and healing.
my mission
I am especially committed to supporting clients from diverse and underrepresented communities.
My clinical work, research, and advocacy focus on amplifying voices that are too often overlooked. In therapy, this means holding space for your intersecting identities and honoring both the challenges and strengths they bring to your story.
Above all, I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental, and empowering environment where you feel truly seen and supported. Whether you are seeking greater self-understanding, navigating life transitions, or strengthening your relationships, we will work together to build insight, coping strategies, and resilience for lasting growth.
My Therapy Approach
Evidenced-Based, Collaborative, Culturally Informed
Healing is possible for everyone, no matter your history or present struggles. I believe therapy should be culturally responsive and honor the deep connections between mind, body, and culture. Each person is unique, with their own lived experiences, challenges, and strengths — which is why I tailor every session to meet your specific needs.
My therapeutic approach is collaborative, compassionate, and exploratory. I draw from evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Relational Cultural Therapy, and Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), integrating them with multicultural and systemic perspectives.
These methods help clients recognize the relationship between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while providing practical tools to create lasting change.
As a relational therapist, I view connection, trust, and safety as the foundation for growth. Together, we work to understand patterns in your relationships and roadblocks that may be keeping you stuck. My goal is to help you develop healthier ways of relating — both to yourself and to others.
